Conan: The Sorceress of the Swamp Comic Review (#82)

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The idea of these short reviews is to give you a quick overview of what this issue is about (or remind you if you’ve forgotten!).

I try to give as much information as possible without spoiling any plots or twists, though of course there are likely to be some mini-spoilers… so read on dog-brother!

Writer/editor: Roy Thomas​

Guest illustrators: Howard Chaykin and Ernie Chan

Colorist: Greg Roussos

Letterer: John Costanza

Consulting editor: Archie Goodwin

Cover Penciller: John Buscema

Cover Inker: Ernie Chan

Published: Marvel, January 1978.

Cover

Not an all-time classic, but solid work from John Buscema and Ernie Chan. For once it actually fits what’s going on inside the issue very nicely!

Art

Honestly, it’s a beautiful piece.

Buscema had taken a break in his run at this point and handed the reigns over to Howard Chaykin and Ernie Chan for a few issues.

They are more than up to the challenge, and combined with Roussos’ colouring we have another great art team.

In fact, I absolutely love the colouring from Greg Roussos. The more I see of it, the more highly I rate him. He had a long ol’ stint on Conan in the end, and his warm colour palette really brings fantasy art to life.

Just look at this page below. It looks even better on paper.

Story

We’re right in the middle of Roy Thomas’ defining Queen of the Black Coast run and Conan has taken a break from Bêlit to head inland for a couple of adventures.

The story is surprisingly strong and has smacks of Gods of the North/The Frost Giant’s daughter about it (an original Robert E Howard story), with a warmer-climes twist.

It’s definitely a building-up issue, and we can probably expect a resolution in the next one!

Howard Accuracy / Faithfulness

It’s freely adapted from ‘Black Canaan’, an original Robert E Howard Story (which I haven’t read yet).

It’s definitely Marvel and Thomas’ Conan, and this is not as violent as Savage Sword, but Conan does indeed do Conan things.

He chases women, fights and kills others (who attack him first) and generally does Barbarian-y stuff.

The text unfortunately contains racially outdated terminology, with one group frequently referred to as ‘blacks’, which can be disconcerting for contemporary readers.

While the narrative does attempt to counterbalance this at times—for example when Conan says ‘I choose my comrades by other things than skin color these days’—certain panels remain problematic through a modern lens.

Character Spotlight

Conan meets an interesting Egyptian Stygian called Neth-At who is sensible enough not to attack Conan on sight (if only others had paid attention).

In fact, the two strike up quite a rapport and you get the feeling they may be buddies for many years to come…

Best Panel or Scene

This is probably my favourite scene–the tension is really cranking up as Conan sneaks up on a hut with no idea what he’ll find, but his dread of the supernatural is kicking in strongly. Will he run?

Extras

There’s a nice Marvel Bullpen mailbag and an ad for 1978 calendars. I wasn’t even born then but I’d love the Frazetta calendar, and a Star Wars t-shirt, thanks!

Where to Buy

It’s probably easiest to get hold of in the new Titan Conan Omnibus 3 or as a single issue of The Sorceress of the Swamp on ebay.

Final Thoughts & Rating

I really enjoyed this issue and I can’t wait to see what happens next week!

Rating: 7.5/10